[NTLUG:Discuss] Summit presentation on virtualization and clustering

[Chris Cox]

Thomas Cameron (Red Hat) wrote:
> Chris Cox wrote:
> <snip a lot of really great educational info>
> 
> Chris -
> 
> The only thing I'd disagree on is that 10 gig ethernet is here now, and
> it's getting cheaper and cheaper.  Over a private 10 gig ethernet
> network, iSCSI is as fast or faster than fibre channel.  And even though
> it looks like a lot of complex configuration, it's really not.  Just two
> commands per LUN, really.  About the same level of complexity as carving
> out LUNs on a "traditional" SAN and then zoning and masking - some would
> say less complexity.
> 
> I do agree that fibre is the bee's knees in most cases today, especially
> now that 8 gig fibre channel is available.  But don't discount iSCSI.  I
> think you'll be seeing much more of it in the near future.
> 
> Don't take that to the bookie, though, I've been wrong before.  :-)

I'm betting on FC over ethernet.  Just as long as it is something
other than IP.  Jumbo frames only go so far.... the topology just
isn't made for SAN.

10gE isn't quite here.. at least not at the prices per port that
most people want.  You have to have a tremendous backplane to
handle a SAN... and few out there are ready for that.  Those
that are are VERY expensive.